- 2010 Youth of the Year -

River Roybal was selected the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland Youth of the Year at Club’s annual competition held in January.   The competition is part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America “National Youth of the Year Program.” Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Club member can receive.  Roybal is eligible to compete for the BGCA Minnesota Youth of the Year and a $10,000 scholarship from Home Sports Teams.

 Roybal, a member of the Club for ten years, plays on the Club’s softball, football and basketball teams. He was the Club’s 2008 Youth of the Year and in 2008 was awarded the Duluth School District Martin Luther King Peace Award.  Roybal is 18 years old and a senior at Denfeld / Central High School where he is involved in Link Crew, Multicultural Group and plays the violin in the orchestra.  Last summer he worked at the Grant Elementary School Theater Camp. Roybal, a member of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, enjoys going to powwows and other cultural events.  He plans to attend either UMD or Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College to become a school social worker.

“As a community member and a judge for this competition, I am so impressed with these young people. Each of them is a winner! ” said Cheryl Meese, RBC Wealth Management, who served as a judge for the competition.  “At the Boys & Girls Club they have developed into outstanding, accomplished young people.  I am truly honored to have this opportunity to recognize their accomplishments and acknowledge their leadership and commitment to family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club.”  

- 2009 Youth of the Year - 

 Michelle won the the Minnesota State Youth of the Year Competition in April and then competed in the regional competition in Chicago in July
  
Michelle, a senior at Denfeld High School with a 3.8 GPA, has been a member of the Club for 11 years is actively engaged in the Club’s programs including softball, Smart Girls, Communi-café, Career Launch and serving as the president of the Keystone Club.  She was hired as a junior staff member and was recently promoted to a part time youth development staff position at the Lincoln Park School Branch.  Michelle plans to attend college and pursue a career in teaching. 

- 2008 Youth of the Year -

River Roybal, a member of the Duluth Boys & Girls Club for the past seven years, was selected as the Club's 2008 Youth of the Year. River is a 17-year-old Junior at Duluth Denfeld High School and plays center and defensive tackle on the football team. River is in good company among many young people across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs fo sound character, leadership skills, and willingness to give back to the community.

"I'm so excited to have this opportunity. I did my best and worked hard to represent our Club." River said. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive at their local organization. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.

River comes from a large, loving family of six children, but they are not without their challenges. Overcoming these challenges has helped him to become the responsible and caring individual that he is today.

"Without the Boys & Girls Club, I would be struggling today, " River said. When River first joined the Club, he was able to get extra help for his homework and was proud when he was able to finish it. Today, school is very important to River and is something he has pledged to do well. He shows great promise because of his dedication to academic achievement and an ability to get along well with peers and leaders alike. River is interested in engineering and plans on attending college after graduation. One important aspect of River's life is his involvement in the Ojibwe community. He embraces his Native American culture and is proud of his heritage. River has set a high moral standard and has proven to be a young man genuinely concerned about the people around him, offering help whenever possible.

For may years, River has been involved in community outreach and service. He is aware of the positive effect the Club has had on his own life, and he continually participates in programs and service to give back to his community. "River's positive attitude, helpfulness and sense od responsibility makes him a well-respected member of the Club, " said Marcia Kane, Director of Operations, Boys & Girls Club of Duluth. "His commitment to both Club and community is inspiring to us all and serves as a true example to young people in the Duluth area."

Michelle Hobbs was selected as the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland’s Youth of the Year for 2009 at a celebration attended by Club staff, parents, Board members and community members to honor and recognize outstanding youth.   Being named “Youth of the Year “is the highest honor a Club member can receive. Finalists competing for the top honor included Amanda Kjenstad, Rafael Ramirez, and Kayla Osaben.  Serving as judges for the competition were Cindy Stauber, Lynn Dart-Nelson, Brad Nelson and Dr. Geoffrey Witrak.